With Portsmouth’s formation of a Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Commission (BPAC) in September, Aquidneck Island now boasts a BPAC in all three municipalities – an important accomplishment for improving road safety island-wide.
This achievement naturally leads to the opportunity for the three BPACs to meet and consider shared priorities and practices on the island. Bike Newport is facilitating this effort through the Ride Island initiative.
On December 3rd, members of the three municipalities met for the 4th time as a group, and the first time as three recognized commissions.
The featured discussion was a topic of universal interest and concern: e-bike safety.
The group heard a presentation by Bike Newport and representatives from the Newport Police Department about steps being taken in Newport to create an action plan and a community campaign to inform the public and begin enforcement of safe practices. The discussion that followed the presentation focused on expanding the efforts island-wide.
Collaborative efforts in Newport began with Bike Newport’s convening of a Work Group in October – comprised of leadership from the city council, schools, police, tourism, business and advocacy. With shared concerns related to the growing popularity of e-bikes and the prevalence of unsafe behaviors, the Work Group recognized the importance of addressing this dependable and sustainable mode of transportation. The Police Department established the importance of “information first” – to correct and deter unsafe practices – and the group as a whole supported a citywide plan and campaign to improve understanding and adherence to the rules.
Key elements of Newport’s E-Bike Safety Plan now include:
- Identifying and communicating the key laws – simply and universally:
- You must be at least 16 years of age to operate an e-bike *
- If an e-bike has capacity to go faster than 28mph, it requires a license to operate it.
- Helmets are required on e-bike riders up to age 21.
- On an e-bike, and on all bikes, you must obey the rules of the road, including direction of travel, stopping at stop signals, not riding the e-bike on sidewalks, and all other rules.
- Working on-site at the schools to inform all students and parents of the laws and prohibiting underage operation. Promoting that underage students who lose use of an ebike can get a replacement bicycle at no charge at Bike Newport.
- Promoting the free e-bike classes that Bike Newport offers. bikenewportri.org/ebikes
- Preparing a comprehensive public awareness plan to be launched in the Spring, expanding Bike Newport’s “You Have the Power” campaign. The plan will include social, print and broadcast media; posters; partnerships with local businesses; and more to ensure that people living, working, and visiting in Newport understand the rules for safe operation of e-bikes and for the safe co-existence of cars, bicycles, and pedestrians citywide.
- As awareness grows, the Newport Police Department reinforces the message through outreach, warnings, and enforcement.
* If you did not know that there is a state law that you have to be 16 to operate an e-bike in Rhode Island – you are not alone. That gap in public awareness is at the center of this challenge. We are also working to improve the language of the law to be more clear, accessible, and promoted.
E-bikes offer real benefits. They expand mobility, reduce car trips, and help people get where they need to go. Thanks to the island’s advocates, police, BPACs, schools, and businesses, we can expect to see e-bike safety improvements spreading island-wide, optimizing safe use and positive experiences.
We’re grateful to the Newport Police Captain Jason Kleinknecht, Lieutenant Jason Brown, Deputy Chief Kevin Moreira, Captain Joe Carroll, and Portsmouth Sargeant Bruce J. Celico for their participation in this program.
Bike Newport